Table 1 Guiding questions, phenomena, and NGSS connections for each module
| Module | Driving question | Phenomena used | DCIs | SEPs | CCs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared biochemistry | What shapes the characteristics of all living things? |
Glowing fish Firefly tails |
HS-LS1.A HS-LS3.A HS-LS4.A |
Using a model Analyzing and interpreting data Argumentation from evidence |
Systems and systems models Patterns |
| Common ancestry | What is the evidence that living species evolved from common ancestral species? |
Cetacean fossils, anatomy, embryos, and DNA Number of shared genes between organisms | HS-LS4.A |
Analyzing and interpreting data Argumentation from evidence |
Patterns Cause and effect |
| Heredity | How do the differences arise in DNA that lead to differences in characteristics? |
Canine trait similarities and differences Highly variable pigeon traits |
HS-LS3.A HS-LS3.B |
Using a model Argumentation from evidence | Cause and effect |
| Natural selection | How do species change over time? |
Rock pocket mice coloration Variable lateral plate number in stickleback fish |
HS-LS4.B HS-LS4.C |
Analyzing and interpreting data Argumentation from Evidence |
Patterns Cause and effect |
| Speciation | How does natural selection lead to the formation of new species? |
Species is a human construct Hawthorn fly speciation | HS- LS4.C |
Analyzing and interpreting data Argumentation from evidence | Cause and effect |